Struggling Stoke City face an uphill task when they travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United on Monday night in Round 23. The Potters, third from bottom in the league, have just appointed Paul Lambert as their new manager after sacking Mark Hughes but the 48 year old will be watching this from the stands, with caretaker boss Eddie Niedzwiecki in charge for the final time before the Scotsman formally takes over the reigns.
The week has been a good one for Manchester United- Chelsea played out a goalless draw at home against Leicester City, and arch rivals Man City suffered their first league defeat of the season after Liverpool beat them in a 4-3 thriller at Anfield. A victory for United here will see them cut the gap between City and the Red Devils to 12 points, and will also see them go three points ahead of Antonio Conte’s side
United were last seen in action earlier this month in a Cup clash against Derby County with late strikes from Jesse Lingard and Romelu Lukaku sealing progress for Jose Mourinho’s side. The Portuguese gaffer then took his side to Dubai for a camp, with the Red Devils enjoying a mid-season break in the UAE sun.
While United were victorious against Derby in their FA Cup clash, Stoke were dumped out of the tournament by fourth tier Coventry City, a result that essentially precipitated the sacking of Hughes, who had been with the club for over four and a half years. The Potters have lost six of their last eight in all competitions.
United have lost only one Premiership game on a Monday- their record reads W27, D1 and L1 from 29 outings. The last three meetings between the Potters and the Red Devils have all ended in draws- in fact Stoke have lost only one of their last six clashes against United. However given their poor recent form and dreadful away record in 2017/18, most Stoke fans would reckon they have a greater chance to win at www.sveafreespins.se than beating United- Jose Mourinho’s side have conceded only five times at Old Trafford in the league this season, and their solitary defeat there was to in-form Man City.
For United, Antonio Valencia is likely to make his return from injury, and should play at right back. Ashley Young is again suspended but Nemanja Matic should re-unite with Paul Pogba in midfield after sitting out the Derby fixture.
Man Utd recent form
Man Utd 2-0 Derby
Everton 0-2 Man Utd
Man Utd 0-0 Southampton
Man Utd 2-2 Burnley
Leicester 2-2 Man Utd
Stoke City recent form
Coventry 2-1 Stoke
Stoke 0-1 Newcastle
Chelsea 5-0 Stoke
Huddersfield 1-1 Stoke
Stoke 3-1 West Bromwich Albion
The corresponding fixture last season saw United take the lead through Anthony Martial midway through the second half, only for Joe Allen to equalise for Stoke eight minutes from time.
Referee Anthony Taylor’s last game involving United saw them beat West Brom 2-1, while Stoke’s last fixture with him was the draw with Huddersfield.
Man Utd v Stoke kicks off at 8 pm at Old Trafford